Apr 15

Acupuncture may ease carpal tunnel syndrome

Acupuncture, Disease No Comments »

If you spend a lot of time on the computer, you or someone you know may be suffering carpal tunnel syndrome. Acupuncture can help those who are seeking relief from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dear Dr. Gott: You recently answered a letter on carpal tunnel syndrome. I am a 74-year-old woman who has had tremendous relief from acupuncture for about 12 years. Back then, I had six treatments, and, until recently, I have had few symptoms. Now, owing to overuse of my hands in gardening, cooking, using the computer, etc., I am starting to have trouble again. Still, I do not awaken in the night and have to get up and shake my hands as I once did.

Dear Reader: Acupuncture involves the ancient practice of inserting thin needles into the skin at strategic points throughout the body for relief from pain. Treatment plans commonly involve from six to 12 sessions over a period of a few months. Up to 20 needles will be used in a single treatment and will remain in place for up to 30 minutes.

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Apr 09

Acupuncture lessens pain from cancer treatment

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Acupuncture is increasingly used to alleviate pain that comes with cancer treatment; this is welcomed by many cancer patients who are enjoying the benefits of acupuncture.

In 2010, 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, but there is some good news: the disease’s death rate is steadily declining. That’s largely due to modern treatments, but they often come with intense side effects.

Quintell Williams is getting ready for what may just be the most relaxing part of her day. Believe it or not, it’s being poked with a dozen or so acupuncture needles.

Quintell is a two time breast cancer survivor. She’s gone through a mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiation. But what’s really hurting her now is a side effect of her breast cancer medicine.

“There’s joint pain. Sometimes you feel like your joints are on fire actually, you know. That’s the basic side effect that I would feel more than anything,” said Quintell.

Even though these drugs can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurring by almost 50 percent, the joint pain and stiffness cane be so severe.

“That a lot more women are stopping their medication than we originally realized and adherence is a big problem, which is unfortunate for a medication that works so well,” said Dr. Dawn Hershman, of New York Presbyterian-Columbia Medical Center.

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Mar 25

Green tea and cancer

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A recent study has shown that green tea can help prevent occurrence of cancer.

A new study has found that green tea may help protect against cancer.

Buzz up!Researchers at Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, suggest that a green tea concentrate may help some people boost their metabolic defense against toxins capable of causing cancer.

In a study of 42 people, the concentrate, composed of chemicals known as green tea catechins in amounts equal to that found in 8-16 cups of green tea, boosted production of the enzymes, which belong to the glutathione S-transferase (GST) family, by as much as 80 percent in some participants. GST enzymes are believed to be crucial to the body’s defense against cancer-causing chemicals and other toxins, according to the study’s lead investigator, H.-H. Sherry Chow, Ph.D., a research associate professor at the University of Arizona.

“They actually convert known carcinogens to non-toxic chemicals, and studies have shown a correlation between deficient expression of these enzymes and increased risk of developing some cancers,” Chow said.

“Expression of this enzyme varies dramatically in people due to genetic variation and environmental factors,” Chow added. “Green tea catechins somehow increase gene expression of these enzymes, which can be an advantage to people with low levels to start with,” he added.

The study was intended to see if green tea catechin concentrate had any effect on the levels of GST enzymes in healthy individuals, an examination that could explain the tea’s anti-cancer properties.

Healthy volunteers were asked to abstain from consuming any tea or tea-related products for four weeks and then blood was drawn and baseline GST enzyme levels were determined. After taking the green tea concentrate for four weeks, a second blood test was taken.

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Mar 12

Acupuncture can boost body’s innate healing process

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Acupuncture, along with other integrative medicine, can help cancer patients better cope with pain.

Nancy Amicangelo, hoping to beat the odds of the five-year life expectancy she was given when her breast cancer spread to both lungs in 2008, knows the benefits of acupuncture, massage, energy healing and naturopathic medicine — even if those benefits lasted only days, and even if she can no longer afford them.

Amicangelo, a 62-year-old Gold Coast resident who is unemployed because of her Stage 4 cancer, still considers herself lucky to have received some relief — albeit temporary relief — from the integrative oncology services offered by Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

The integrative services, offered at 150 E. Huron, are part of a larger 360 Care Program aimed to address cancer patients’ needs through treatment extending beyond conventional medicine and cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment to therapies that include counseling, stress management, integrative medicine and integrative services.

“Our goal is to treat the whole person, not just their illness,” says Dr. Melinda Ring, medical director of Northwestern Memorial Physician Group’s Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness.

“Research suggests that a holistic approach can alleviate stress and anxiety, as well as the physical pain and discomfort patients often experience while undergoing cancer treatments by activating the body’s innate healing process,” explains Ring, a native Chicagoan.

Amicangelo, diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and metastatic breast cancer in April 2008, knows firsthand the benefits of acupuncture and massage. Ironically, the drugs that keep Amicangelo alive have caused nerve damage in her hands and feet — pain so acute that some days she is unable to even hold a pencil, pain so acute she only finds relief from acupuncture and massage.

When, under a new grant, all patients under the care of a Northwestern Memorial Hospital oncologist became eligible to receive a limited number of free integrative medicine services as part of their treatment, Amicangelo was one of the first to sign up.

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Feb 05

Acupuncture and joint relief

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More evidence is presented in a recent study on the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving joint symptoms in breast cancer treatment.

Acupuncture May Improve Joint Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors
For women treated with aromatase inhibitors for early breast cancer, acupuncture may help to relieve the joint pain and stiffness that sometimes accompanies these drugs. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The majority of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive. These cancers are stimulated to grow by the circulating female hormones estrogen and/or progesterone. Treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer often includes hormonal therapies that suppress or block the action of estrogen. These therapies include tamoxifen [Nolvadex®] as well as agents known as aromatase inhibitors. Tamoxifen acts by blocking estrogen receptors, whereas aromatase inhibitors suppress the production of estrogen in postmenopausal women.

Joint pain and stiffness are one of the potential side effects of aromatase inhibitor therapy. Successful management of this side effect could improve quality of life and reduce the likelihood that patients will discontinue aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that aims to improve health by stimulating specific points of the body.[1]

To explore the effects of acupuncture on aromatase inhibitor-associated joint pain, researchers conducted a study among 43 women.[2] All of the study participants were receiving an aromatase inhibitor for early breast cancer, and all reported musculoskeletal pain.

Study participants were assigned to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture twice a week for six weeks. Sham acupuncture involved superficial needle insertion at nonacupoint locations.

Women treated with true acupuncture experienced improvement in joint pain and stiffness over the course of the study. No such improvement was observed among women treated with sham acupuncture.

The results of this study suggest that acupuncture may help women manage the joint pain and stiffness that can accompany aromatase inhibitor treatment.

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Feb 02

Natural ways to fight off the cold and the flu

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Traditional Chinese medicine offer a variety of ways to keep you healthy and strong as well as to fight off the cold and the flu.

It’s February and we are still seeing patients come in for the common cold and the flu. Besides the respiratory viruses that were prevalent earlier in the winter season our healthcare team at the Tao of Wellness has seen more stomach virus cases since the beginning of the year. This has been true with other healthcare groups I’ve spoken to around the country. These viruses are highly contagious often affecting every member of a family and cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and with or without fever.

Each year, one in three Americans suffers from the common cold or the flu. In past blogs I have suggested natural ways to support the healthy functions of your immune system in raising your resistance against the common cold. Common sense practices include washing your hands frequently with soap, and wash your face at least twice a day. Refrain from touching your nose and face with your hands except with tissues. Also, protect your upper back and neck area when it’s cold or windy by using a scarf, because this is where most of the colds will attack the body leading to stiff and achy neck and head. Here are six more natural strategies to avoid the common cold and the flu.

1. Rest up to restore your immunity. Studies show that your immune system function drops by an average of 60% after just three nights of poor sleep, so be sure you are getting plenty of quality rest, at least eight hours each night. Can’t fall asleep or stay asleep? Try taking a hot bath at night before bedtime or soak your feet in Epsom salt bath for 15 minutes. It will help relax your mind and body in preparation for your sleep.

2. Eat sweet potatoes and mushrooms. These foods help optimize your body’s immunity function. Sweet potatoes contain higher amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene than carrots, as well as being rich in plant source DHEA, a potent immunity booster. Certain types of mushrooms, like shitake, maitake and reishi, contain polysaccharides, sterols, coumarin, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that have been found to increase immune functions and activities.

3. Garlic keeps more than vampires away. Throughout human history garlic has been loved as well as loathed. Loved by those who enjoy its intense aroma and pungent flavors and loathed by those who are repelled by its odor. The strong odor of garlic actually comes from a sulfur-compound called allicin that studies have found to be a powerful antibacterial and antiviral agent. Not only has it been shown to be effective against colds, flu, stomach virus and candida yeast, it has also been shown to be effective against antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA. Besides repelling microbes, apparently even vampires don’t like it either.

4. Vitamin C to your rescue. The late Nobel laureate Linus Pauling did pioneering research on the benefits of vitamin C. It is regarded as the safest and most effective nutrient. A recent look at over 100 studies on vitamin C in the last 10 years revealed many conclusive benefits of vitamin. Not the least is its well-known property of supporting immune functions especially when the immune system is suppressed by stress. It may not prevent the common cold or the flu but it can reduce the risk of complications like pneumonia and lung infections. One can safely take up to 2,000 mg of vitamin C daily.

Jan 31

TCM can help keep you healthy

Disease, Traditional Chinese Medicine No Comments »

How traditional Chinese medicine could prevent you from becoming ill.

EVEN though traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gradually catching on, especially among younger people, there are still cynics out there who question the effectiveness of its methods in preventing and treating illnesses. But physician Zhou Yan from the Eu Yan Sang Specialist TCM Centre says there are no doubts about its efficacy.

TCM – a science that was developed centuries ago through constant experimentation and real-life experiences – is the real deal, she said. “The successes are accumulated, researched upon and passed down from generation to generation.

The fact that TCM is still surviving and has not been extinguished by medical advances is because it has proven to be useful,” said the 45-year-old in Mandarin.

The TCM physician and acupuncturist with about 20 years of clinical experience has seen more than 160,000 patients in her career.

She said TCM can be extremely effective – with almost a 100 per cent success rate – in treating illnesses, provided the physician makes an accurate diagnosis.

Treatments – such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic massage (or tui na) and cupping – can be very complex and vary substantially depending on the illness and a client’s constitution, as well as factors such as the climate, the client’s physical environment and whether he or she cooperates, she said.

“A physician needs to look at all these things holistically and consider each individual’s situation before deciding on treatment,” she added.

In a talk on Saturday, Ms Zhou will be focusing on issues surrounding “sub-health”, a state between wellness and illness where there are frequent onsets of unhealthy symptoms but where no definite disease or illness can be diagnosed.

According to a global survey by the World Health Organization, only 5 per cent of the world population enjoy good health; 20 per cent are diagnosed as being ill and up to 75 per cent are in the sub-health category.

Using TCM methods is best for people who are at the sub-health stage, because the treatment does not produce any side effects and can bring balance to your body and prevent illnesses before they strike, said Ms Zhou.

my paper posed the physician some burning questions from readers.

Jan 30

Green tea and uterine fibroids

Disease No Comments »

Study Shows EGCG May Reduce Size and Weight of Uterine Fibroids

An extract from green tea may be useful in treating uterine fibroids, a condition that affects 25%-30% of U.S. women, new research indicates.

Fibroids of the uterus, a condition called uterine leiomyoma, can be debilitating, leading to excessive vaginal bleeding, anemia, and fatigue.

Dong Zhang, MD, and colleagues from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., say they’ve found that an extract of green tea could kill uterine fibroid cells in test tube studies and reduce the size and weight of fibroids in mice.

Their work is published this week in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The researchers injected 20 mice with fibroid cells. Ten mice were given epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) mixed with their water, and 10 mice were given plain water. EGCG is a polyphenol in green tea and is a compound found in vegetables and fruits.

The mice were followed for up to eight weeks. At both four weeks and eight weeks after treatment, fibroid growths were smaller and weighed less. The researchers note that one mouse in the EGCG group had no tumor seen at the end of eight weeks.

In test tube studies with rodent fibroid cells, cells treated with EGCG grew more slowly and were smaller after 48-72 hours. EGCG also prompted fibroid cell death. The researchers write that it is “highly encouraging that, in our work, a relatively modest dose of EGCG … that was delivered in drinking water was successful in inducing a dramatic and sustained reduction in fibroid tumor size up to eight weeks after treatment.”

The researchers say their study suggests that EGCG “might be particularly useful for long-term use in women with a low fibroid tumor burden to arrest tumor progression and avoid the development of severe symptoms that necessitate major surgery.”

Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD director of Clinical Research at Meharry, says in the news release that women who suffer from uterine fibroids may lose time from work, have higher medical bills, and might need advanced treatment in order to become pregnant.

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Jan 22

Green Tea can help fight off lung cancer

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Regular consumption of green tea can help ward off lung cancer.

Green tea may reduce the risk of lung cancer, particularly for smokers, according to a study released this week.

At least a cup a day was associated with more than 5-fold lower lung cancer risk among Taiwanese adults, reported I-Hsin Lin, of the Chung Shan Medical University in Zhonghe City, Taiwan, and colleagues.

Moreover, for current and former smokers, regular green tea intake was associated with a nearly 13-fold lower risk than abstaining from the drink, suggesting that the antioxidants in tea have “an inhibitory effect…elicited by smoking,” the researchers said.

These findings were reported at the American Association for Cancer Research-International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer.

“We suggest smokers or nonsmokers, both of them, should drink green tea to keep away from lung cancer,” Lin told MedPage Today. “However, the cessation of smoking is the best way for cancer prevention.”

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Jan 20

Acupuncture reduces painful side effects of breast cancer treatments

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Acupuncture is found to be effective in reducing painful side effects of breast cancer treatments.

A new medical study finds that acupuncture, an ancient form of healing that has been around for thousands of years, is as good as, or better than modern medicine in helping ease the side effects of breast cancer treatment.

Acupuncture may alleviate some unpleasant side effects of hormone therapy.The findings, which were presented today at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s annual meeting in Boston, suggest that this ancient therapy can give cancer patients a wide range of benefits above modern medicine.

Cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, which kills breast cancer cells, can wreak havoc on a woman’s body, throwing many into menopause with severe symptoms.

“I got about two hot flashes an hour,” said Susan Azar, 43, a breast cancer survivor. “Very intense ones where you would break out in a sweat.”

The “conventional” remedy for Azar’s chemotherapy-induced hot flashes is a daily anti-depressant. But these pills can produce side effects of their own, including dizziness, nausea and constipation.

In an effort to find a way to alleviate some of chemotherapy’s symptoms, Azar enrolled in a clinical trial to receive acupuncture once or twice a week, for 30- to 45-minute sessions.

“Two to three weeks into the study, you start to notice the hot flashes, the intensity and the frequency would decline,” Azar said.

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese therapy, practiced for thousands of years, uses very thin needles to reduce pressure at specific points. Most patients do not feel any pain from the needles.

Most women in the study said they saw the same dramatic effect from the acupuncture treatment as Azar did.

“Acupuncture is equal to drug therapy in decreasing hot flashes,” said Dr. Eleanor Walker at the Henry Ford Hospital and lead author of the study. And even better, she said, it has no side

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